Provincial Clinical Programme Lead (one year renewable contract) – Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology/Paediatrics – School of Medicine – Faculty of Health Sciences

Faculty: Health Sciences

Department: Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Overview: To facilitate the provincial-level implementation and expansion of Integrated PostNatal Care in 2 - 3 selected provinces. The Provincial Clinical Programme Lead will provide clinical and technical support, including capacity building, mentorship, performance monitoring and continuous quality improvement, to enable the sustainable integration of maternal and infant services into routine child health care. The incumbent will serve as the primary liaison between the central project team and provincial and district stakeholders, leading stakeholder engagement and supporting change across the assigned provinces.

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

DEPARTMENTS OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY & PAEDIATRICS

RESEARCH CENTRE FOR MATERNAL, FETAL, NEWBORN & CHILD HEALTH CARE STRATEGIES

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

PROVINCIAL CLINICAL PROGRAMME LEAD (1 YEAR RENEWABLE CONTRACT) (x4 posts) (One position reserved for Paediatric Specialist)

POST LEVEL 7

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy.

The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

To facilitate the provincial-level implementation and expansion of Integrated PostNatal Care in 2 - 3 selected provinces. The Provincial Clinical Programme Lead will provide clinical and technical support, including capacity building, mentorship, performance monitoring and continuous quality improvement, to enable the sustainable integration of maternal and infant services into routine child health care. The incumbent will serve as the primary liaison between the central project team and provincial and district stakeholders, leading stakeholder engagement and supporting change across the assigned provinces.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent is expected to perform the following duties. Please note that the below provides a high-level overview and may not include all related functions that may be required.

Provincial Stakeholder Engagement and Management

• Establishing and maintaining relationships with provincial and district stakeholders;

• Supporting programme introduction activities at the provincial and district levels;

• Promoting stakeholder ownership and sustainability;

• Facilitating stakeholder meetings and implementation reviews;

• Representing the programme at provincial and district forums.

• Holds ultimate accountability for the provincial stakeholder engagement strategy, and serves as the most senior liaison with provincial and district stakeholders.

   

Clinical and Implementation Support

• Supporting provincial and district teams to implement and scale up integrated postnatal care within routine child health services.

• Providing clinical and technical support for integrated postnatal services, including maternal and newborn care, HIV, TB, STI and non-communicable disease interventions, and care for mother-baby pairs requiring extra support.

• Supporting the development and implementation of clinical and operational tools to strengthen integrated service delivery.

• Strengthening continuity of care through integrated services, coordinated referrals and follow-up.

• Monitoring implementation, addressing operational challenges, and applying implementation science to improve programme performance and scale-up.

• Takes charge of the overall implementation and support strategy for the assigned province, and is responsible for programme performance and implementation fidelity.

Capacity Building and Training

• Facilitating training and onboarding of master trainers, healthcare workers and managers.

• Promoting digital and AI-assisted learning and facilitate communities of practice.

• Mentoring provincial and district teams to strengthen capacity and sustain integrated postnatal care.

• Directs the implementation of the province’s capacity-building strategy in a way that builds lasting district and provincial team independence.

Reporting, Learning and Knowledge Dissemination

• Preparing project progress reports;

• Providing feedback to central programme teams and other stakeholders as needed;

• Documenting implementation lessons, innovations, and best practices;

• Participating in dissemination activities, including conference/workshop presentations and article writing for publication.

• Accountable for the accuracy, timeliness, and sign-off of provincial progress reports, and represents the provinces in dissemination activities to central programme teams.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), current registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner; OR

• Bachelor of Nursing Science (BCur) or equivalent qualification, current registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Professional Nurse; OR

• Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice (BCMP), current registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Clinical Associate.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Doctor, Professional Nurse or Clinical Associate; 

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience supporting implementation of public sector HIV, maternal and child health, primary healthcare, or related health programmes; and

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in training facilitation, mentorship and other health workforce capacity-building approaches.

• Valid Driver’s Licence.

   

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

Knowledge

• Maternal, newborn and child health policies, guidelines and service delivery platforms;

• HIV prevention and treatment, including PrEP, ART, and prevention of vertical transmission;

• South African primary healthcare system and Ideal Clinic service delivery platforms, including structure, functioning, and dynamics at provincial, district, and facility level;

• Principles of integrated and person-centred care according to the life-course stage.

Technical Competencies

• Microsoft Office Suite, virtual collaboration, and responsible and ethical use of AI;

• Health programme implementation and scale-up;

• Training facilitation;

• Stakeholder engagement and change management;

• Data analysis and interpretation, able to drive quality improvement at the service delivery level;

• Health systems strengthening using implementation science principles;

• Academic writing for publication and conference presentations.

Behavioural Competencies

• Ability to work independently and deliver against agreed objectives;

• Ability to travel within assigned provinces and districts;

• Availability for occasional after-hours work;

• Ability to work across multiple districts and service delivery platforms;

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills;

• Adaptability, problem-solving ability and lateral thinking;

• Strong planning, organisational and accountability skills.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• Medical Specialisation (MMed or Similar)

• Postgraduate qualification in Public Health;

• Diploma in HIV Management;

• Monitoring and Evaluation training;

• Quality Improvement training;

• Project Management training;

• Maternal, Newborn and Child Health training;

• HIV, PMTCT and PrEP training.

Desirable Experience

• 2 years’ experience facilitating stakeholder engagement and supporting organisational change within the public health sector;

• 2 years’ experience working with provincial and district health management teams;

• 2 years’ experience engaging with facility managers and frontline healthcare workers;

• 2 years’ experience using programme monitoring data, dashboards and quality improvement approaches to strengthen service delivery.

The all-inclusive remuneration package for this contract position will be commensurate with the incumbent’s level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines.

Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za, and follow the link: Careers@UP.

In applying for this post,

You should attach:

• A comprehensive CV with names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact;

• Certified copies of qualifications;

• You agree to participate in additional assessments, which may include self-assessments, psychometric evaluations, and other selection exercises, if requested as part of the recruitment process.

CLOSING DATE: 14 September 2026

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

ENQUIRIES:  Ms NA Muller, email: [email protected] or call 012 356 3242 for application-related enquiries, and Ronald Mosweu, email [email protected]  or call 012 945 2000 for enquiries relating to the post content.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 December 2026, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups.

All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply.

By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record, credit record, current and historic disciplinary proceedings as part of the selection process.

The University of Pretoria reserves the right not to fill the advertised positions.